Mosu Mantsie 585 Studios was founded in April 2020 against the ravaging effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The foundation of the studio was to empower young and financially challenged artists to establish their careers in the music industry. The studio is the brainchild of its Director, Mr Phillip Rapula Mhlanga, a musician soldier with the Botswana Defence Force. Mr Phill Mhlanga’s passion for music dates back to his years as a young child, having grown up during the times when South Africans sought refuge in Botswana as they fled the apartheid regime. Some of the refugees were provided shelter by his family. Among these refugees were some of the finest musicians whose art and skill remain a pilgrimage, empowerment tool and symbolism of unity, peace, and freedom.
It is with this colourful background that Mr. P.R. Mhlanga decided to contribute to the community through the patriotism of offering tailor-made services to musicians from various financial backgrounds.
“I decided to go out to the nearest village of Mogoditshane and do some scouting for artists who met the above stated requirements, i.e., one had to be youth or being financially disabled”. The main intention was to record at least 14 artists which translated in to 14 songs. Our artists locally, have been badly affected by the Corona Pandemic. When I opened the studio for business the global world was attacked by Covid19. The pandemic did not only bring loss of business to artists, but also brought despair and misery to would be musicians as they lost interest in the arts.” – Mr. Phillip Rapula Mhlanga.
It was through the above-mentioned collaboration that “Project Afrika” came into being; a united approach to record a mixture of diverse African music with the notion that “WE ARE ONE NATION”. The collaboration not only brings artists together, but will yield a better financial benefit for the artists than a singular approach.
Mosu Mantsie 585 Studios’ major role is to build unity, peace, and sense of relevance for all artists, with special focus to empower those with challenging backgrounds such as finance and body ability.
The music for the “Project Afrika” has been recorded, which includes our very own folk artists. To give a colourful tone to the music project, we engaged some of the already wellestablished local artists. The album will be released in due course while the funds for the launch will be sourced through sponsorship.
P. O. Box 612BER, Mogoditshane, Botswana.
Plot 585, Mantsie, Mmopane Block1, Botswana.
+267 71484042 / 73335615
mosu585studios@yahoo.com
